Speaker: Dr. Federico Germani

Topic: Disinformation and ethics in the age of Large Language Models

Abstract: In an age of Large Language Models (LLMs), the ways we produce, share, and trust information are undergoing radical shifts. The talk explores the ethical challenges posed by large language models (LLMs), focusing on their role in shaping public discourse, reinforcing biases, and affecting belief formation. The talk examines how LLMs can produce compelling disinformation, how their outputs are shaped by attribution bias, and how they respond to emotional prompting, reflecting on the implications for education and societal resilience.

Bio: Federico Germani is a researcher at the Institute of Biomedical Ethics and History of Medicine at the University of Zurich, where he focuses on the ethical, cognitive, and communicative challenges posed by artificial intelligence, particularly in the context of misinformation and disinformation. His work explores how large language models and other AI systems influence belief formation, public discourse, and trust in information. As rapporteur for the World Health Organization, he has contributed to global ethical guidance on social listening and infodemic management in public health. Holding a PhD in molecular biology, and having a background in ethics and international relations, Federico adopts an interdisciplinary approach to understanding and addressing the societal impact of AI and emerging technologies.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/federicogermani/